Package binding tool



Dec. 1, 1953 e. A. CROSBY ET AL PACKAGE BINDING TOOL 4 Sheets-Sheet 1Filed Dec. 15, 194s Dec. 1, 1953 G. A. CROSBY ET AL 4 Sheets-Sheet 2Dec. 1, 1953 e. A. CROSBY ETAL PACKAGE BINDING TOOL 4 Sheets-Sheet 5Filed Dec. 15, 1948 A w?) 1% V Deg. 1, 953 G. A. CROSBY Em 2,661 030PACKAGE BINDING TOOL Filed Dec. 15, 1948 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Alli.

IIIIIIIHH? Patented Dec. 1, 1953 gimme 2,661,030 PACKAGE BINDING TOOLGeorge A. Crosby, Park Ridge, and Arvid I. Ericsson, Chicago, Ill.,assignors to Signode' Steel Strapping Company, Chicago, 111., acorporation of Delaware Application December 15, 1948, Serial No. 65,448

11 Claims.

Our invention relates to package binding tools.

More specifically it relates to a tool particularly adapted for use inbinding relatively soft or fragile packages, which is operable to holdthe overlapping ends of a package encircling flexible metallic binder inaligned relation and tension the same to the proper degree, whereuponthe tool is operable to place a seal upon the overlapping ends of thepackage encircling binder loop and deform the same to produce aseal-joint, permanently anchoring together the binder ends, andthereafter the tool is operable through a further stage for transferringa seal from a magazine to the sealing jaws of the tool to condition thetool for another sealing operation.

In the normal operation of a tool of this type, a considerable amount offorce must be applied thereto in forming the seal-joint. Heretofore thisforce was transmitted, through the base of the tool, to the packagebeing bound so that relatively fragile packages might be crushed andsoft or easily compressible packages might not afford adequateresistance properly to support the tool, at least not withoutobjectionable distortion. In addition to this disadvantage of the toolsof the prior art, difficulty is sometimes encountered with the sealfeeding mechanism in that a seal becoming accidentally jammed in themagazine cannot be as readily removed as might be desired. v

The tool of the present invention is constructed in part from alightweight metal alloy, thus reducing its total weight so that it doesnot bear as heavily on the package being bound and isless fatiguing tohandle. In addition to a conventional operating handleit is providedwith a reaction handle against which a. forcemay be exerted when aseal-joint is being formed sufficient to counterbalance the forceexerted on the operating handle so that relatively little if anyoperating force needs be transmitted to the package being bound. Thusthe tool is especially adapted for binding relatively soft or fragilepackages. Also incorporated in the tool are an improved binder strapaligning lever for holding the overlapping ends of the package binder inproper relation while they are being tensioned, and an improved sealmagazine and simplified seal ejector, all of which tend to obviate thedisadvantageous features above mentioned which may be more or lessinherent in package binding tools as presently manufactured.

Accordingly, an object of the invention is the provision of a new andimproved package binding tool which is particularly adaptable for use inbinding relatively spft .0 1 fragile packages,

Another object of the invention is the provision of a new and improvedpackage binding tool having an operating handle operable to both tensiona package encircling binder and to form a joint in the overlapping endsof the tensioned package-looping binder, and a reaction handle throughwhich a force may be exerted to counterbalance the force exerted on theoperating handle during the sealing operation and thereby prevent theoperating force from being transmitted to the package being bound.

A further object of the invention is the provision of anew and improvedpackage binding tool incorporating a magazine for the storage of sealsused in forming a joint between the overlapping ends of a packageencircling binder strap having guide means formed at its outlet and forguiding seals into the sealing mechanism of the tool when the seals arebeing transferred from the magazine to the sealing mechanism.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a. new andimproved package bindbinding tool having an outlet (in the magazine asabove set forth), one wall of which is hinged to permit pivotal movementof the same from seal engaging position so that a seal jammed in theoutlet may be readily removed therefrom.

Yet another object of the invention is the provision of a new andimproved package binding tool having a magazine as above set forth andan improved ejector for transferring seals from the outlet of themagazine to the sealing mecha= nism of the tool operable through themedium of a camon the operatinghandle of the tool, and an adjustableconnection between the cam and ejector for varying the throw of theejector so that the latter will be held in a position preparatory totransferring a seal until the operating handle has been movedsufliciently to condition the sealing mechanism for receiving a seal.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of a new andimproved package binding tool having a binder tensioning mechanism mov-'able into and out of binder engaging position, and an improved binderaligning lever for engaging the edges of the overlapping ends of apackage binder to hold the same in aligned relation while they are beingtensioned, which lever is adapted to be moved into and out of binderengaging position simultaneously with the movement of the tensioningmechanism into and out of binder engaging position.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a relativelyinexpensive lightweight. tool of the class described of generallyimproved and simplified construction which is positive in operation andsimple and easy to manipulate.

Other objects, advantages and capabilities of the invention will becomeapparent from the following description of a preferred embodimentthereof taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is an elevational view of one side of the tool showing in fulllines the position of the parts when the tool is at rest and indicating,in dotdash lines, the position of the operating parts at the beginningof a joint forming or sealing operation;

Fig. 2 is an elevational view of the side of the tool opposite that ofFig. 1, showing the parts in the position they assume when a joint iscompleted;

Fig. 3 is a vertical section of the tool in normal position;

Fig. 4 is a section on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a section on the line.5--5 of Fig. 3 and Fig. 6 is afragmentary front elevation with the base of the tool in section showingthe binder alinging lever in inoperative position.

For the purpose of explanation the improved features of the presentinvention have been shown and will be described as incorporated in acombined binder-tensioning and sealing tool of the same general type. asthat set forth in Patents Nos. 2,336,264 and 2,267,612, both issued toJohn H. Leslie, II.

Referring particularly toFigs. 1, 2 and 3, the tool comprises a mainframe A which is adapted to rest upon the package being bound and pivotally supports a binder-tensioning mechanism B and an oscillatableauxiliary frame C. The auxiliary frame carries a sealing or jointforming mechanims D, a seal magazine E and a seal feeding mechanism Ffor feeding seals from the magazine into the. sealing mechanism. Anoperating handle G is pivotally secured to the auxiliary frame 0. Thishandle is adapted to be oscillated through a first range of movementduring which the auxiliary frame moves with it for actuating thetensioning mechanism B; then handle G may be pivoted beyond the firstrange of movement. to bring the sealing mechanism into position over theoverlapping ends of the tensioned package-looping binder strap andthereafter it may be forced through a. further or third range ofmovement to cause the sealing mecha nism D to be actuated to form a.joint uniting the overlapping ends of the package encircling binderloop. Finally the: handle G is returned to effect the feeding of a newseal to the. sealing mechanism D and to return the auxiliary frame C toits normal. or rest position.

The main frame A, which may be, formed from an aluminum alloy casting,is provided with a fiat bottom surface ill for resting on the packagewhich is to be bound and has an integrally formed handle 12 tostrengthen the main frame and facilitate the handling of the tool. Atits forward end this handle it merges into a wall !4 extendingvertically from the base portion of the main frame and a vertical flangeI5 spaced from and parallel to the wall M. The auxiliary frame projectsinto this recess between wall l4 and flange l and is pivoted to the mainframe by a bolt [6 which extends through the wall and flange. The flangei5 is also separated from the front portion of the base of the mainframe by a longitudinally extending channel I8 between the flange. andthe top surface of a laterally extending front foot 22, which foot formsthe front.

end of the base of the main frame A. This foot has an opening 24adjacent the front end thereof into which the outer end of the sealingmechanism D projects when the sealing mechanism is moved tojoint-forming position over the overlapping ends of a package encirclingbinderstrap, as will be later explained.

In the normal use of the tool a binder strap is looped around a packageand the tool is placed in position on the package by sliding the frontfoot 22 laterally under the overlapping ends of the binder loop so thatthese overlapping ends are positioned in the channel 18 and below thebinder-tensioning mechanism B. Ordinarily, the tool is so placed thatthe anchored end of the binder loop will be on the bottom and willextend to the right, as seen in Fig. 1, while the unsevered and movableend of the binder loop is on top and extends to the left, as seen inFig. 1.

A hard metal clutch plug 26 (preferably crowned toward the center asbest shown in Fig. 3) having a knurled upper surface for engaging theunder surface of the bottom overlapping end of the binder strap loop isthreaded into the foot 22 so as axially to align with the vertical axisof the tensioning mechanism B when in operative position. This plug,which is threaded for adjustment relative to the tensioning mechanism,may be locked in any adjusted position by a wire lock or otherconventional means. During a tensioning operation it holds the bottomoverlapped end of the binder loop stationary while the upper overlappingend is moved to the left, as seen in Fig. 1, by the tensioningmechanismB to tighten the loop around the package.

In order to insure the proper alignment of the overlapping ends of thebinder strap, a metal guide plug 28 is secured in the side wall 14 ofthe main frame A adjacent the rear end of the channel It and a frontstrap guide 30, in the form of a notched plate, is secured on theforward end of the front foot 22 by means of screws 3i countersunk intothe plate 30 and threaded into the base N3 of the main frame, as shownmost clearly in Fig. 3. The strap ends are held in aligned relationagainst these rear and front guides, While the binder is beingtensioned, by means of an improved binder strap aligning or guidinglever 32, best seen in Fig. 6. Strap guide 30 has a projection or lip 33which overhangs the inner edge of the strap to prevent undue strapseparation in front of the tool.

As shown in Figs. 3 and 6', this strap aligning lever, which extendstransversely of the foot 22, is pivotally secured at one end in a slot34 formed in an upwardly extending lug 36 cast integrally with the baseof the main frame A. The lug is located forward of the axis of thetensioning mechanism B so that operation of the latter is not interferedwith by the aligning lever 32 and the lever pivots upon a pin 38 whichextends horizontally through it and the lug 36. This pin has a head onone end and a cotter pin may be inserted through an opening in the otherend where it extends through the lug 36 to prevent the pin from comingout of position.

The bottom surface of the lever 32 forms a straight edge for a portionof its length as indicated at 40 and this straight edge terminates in adepending shoulder 42 and an outwardly extending portion 44 having abottom edge lying below the plane of the straight edge 49. When thelever 32 is lowered to operative position this. portion 41% enters aslot 46, formed in the top of the foot 22, and while the edge 40 engagesthe top surface of the upper overlapping binder end, the

means for moving the lever 32 into an out of operative position and forlocking it in these positions will be later described.

The auxiliary frame C and tensioning mechanism B are pivoted to mainframe A by means of bolt l6 essentially in the manner disclosed in thebeforementioned Leslie patents, the tensioning mechanism being securedupon an eccentric portion of the bolt (indicated at 52 in Fig. 3) sothat by turning the bolt in a counterclockwise direction the tensioningmechanism is lowered and brought into engagement with the topoverlapping strap end over the central portion of the clutch plug 26.And by turning the bolt it in a clockwise direction the tensioningmechanism can be raised out of engagement with the upper binder strapend.

The bolt [6 is normally biased in a counter-v clockwise direction tomove the tensioning mechanism to operative position by means of a coilspring enclosed in a housing 54. This construction is fully described inLeslie Patent No. 2,336,- 264 and, therefore, will not be shown ordescribed in detail herein. An actuating handle 58, which has a cam 58nonrotatably secured on the end of the bolt I6 opposite the springhousing 56, is provided for rotating the bolt in a clockwise directionagainst the tension of its biasing spring and thereby raise thetensioning mechanism out of operative or strap engaging position. Theshank 58 is secured to the bolt It by means of a cap screw 60 threadedinto a tapped bore in the bolt IS. The bolt is locked at the limit ofits clockwise movement by a latch 62 pivotally secured to the main frameA upon a pin 64 secured in the flange l of the main frame, as shown mostclearly in Fig. 1. This latch 62 is normally urged to handle lockingposition as shown in Fig. 1

by a spring 66 located in a curved opening 58 in the latch and bearingat its lower end against a fixed abutment to be hereinafter describedand at its upper end against the upper end of the opening 68 so that thespring urges the latch 62 in a counterclockwise direction. The limit ofthe movement of-latch 62 in the counterclockwise direction is determinedby the engagement of the lower end of the opening 68 with the fixedabutment.

In the raised position of latch 62 a notch 10 in its forward edge isadapted to engage with a pin 12 secured on the inner side of the cam 58of the handle 56 but only when the latter is turned to the limit of itsmovement in a clockwise direction to raise the tensioning mechanism toinoperative position. Notch Hi is so formed that it firmly grips the pin12 and causes latch 62 to lock the handle 56 in this position againstthetension of the biasing spring acting on bolt It. The latch 62 may,however, be disengaged from the pin 12 to release the handle 56 by theoperator pressing downwardly on the outer end of an arm 74 which extendsrearwardly from the body of the latch. Thereupon the biasing springrotates bolt, IS in a clockwise direction and lowers the tensioningmechanism B to operative position and in addition lowers the aligninglever 32 to operative position and locks the same in this position aswill now be described.

Along its edge opposite handle 55, the cam 58 is formed with a notch 76below which the cam projects as a lug 18. Normally, when handle 58 islocked in its extreme clockwise position by latch 62 and the tensioningmecahnism is thereby held out of strap engaging position as shown inFigs. 1 and 6, notch 16 opens rearwardly and substantially horizontallyand lug 1-8 engaging lip 48 holds strap aligning lever 32 raised abovefoot 22. But when the handle 56 is released from latch 62 to enable thetensioning mechanism B to move to operative strap engaging position, the

cam 58 is rotated counterclockwise sufficiently to cause the upper wallof its notch it to engage lip 48 of aligning lever 32 and rotate thatlever far enough to depress its depending portion 44 into the slot 46 inforward foot 22. In this position the shoulder 42 of lever 32 engagesthe edges of the overlapping strap ends to insure that they remain inproper horizontal alignment, as previously explained. A shoulder 80 isalso formed on cam 53 at such a location that it engages the top surfaceof the lip 48 on lever 32 when the handle 56 is rotated to its extremecounterclockwise position and, as a consequence, lever 32 has beendepressed into position to close channel It and to align the overlappingstrap ends, and thereby the strap aligning lever 32 is locked in closedor strap aligning position as long as the tensioning mechanism is instrap engaging posi- .tion.

The tensioning mechanism B comprises a pair of feed wheels 82 secured oneither side of a ratchet wheel 84. This assembly is rotated by anactuating pawl 86 secured in the auxiliary frame C upon a pin 88extending between and secured against removal from the side walls of theauxiliary frame by any suitable means. The pawl 86 is held in engagementwith the teeth 99 on the ratchet wheel 84 by a spring 92. When theauxiliary frame C is rotated in one direction. e. g., clockwise as seenin Fig. 3, the pawl engages in the ratchet teeth 99 and rotates the feedwheels 82 in a clockwise direction, thereby effecting movement of theupper strap end of the binder loop over the lower strap end which isheld stationary on the clutch plug 35 in the front foot 22. A holdingpawl 531i is pivoted to the main frame A upon a pin 95 extendingtransversely through the base of the main frame. This pawl engages theteeth of ratchet wheel 34 and prevents reverse rotation of the feedwheels 85 2 during counterclockwise rotation of the auxiliary frame B.The outer end of. this pin 96 extends through the opening SS in the bodyof latch 62 and thus forms a guide for the movements of the latch andalso the abutment against which one end of the spring 66 rests, aspreviously de scribed.

The auxiliary frame C is provided with an operating handle 9d which ispivotally secured thereto by a shouldered pivot pin liiEi and also witha reaction handle m2 rigidly secured thereto by means of a pair of pinsltd. The operating handle 98 may be cast from an aluminum alloy and hasa channel use along its underside in which the reaction handle isadapted to nest, as shown in Fig. 3. The forward end of the operatinghandle 98 is' formed with a pair of flanges Hi8 spaced sufiiciently sothat they straddle the auxiliary frame. The enlarged portion of theshouldered pivot pin I 00 extends through one 7 V flange I08 andtheauxiliary frame C and the shoulder thereon abuts against the otherflange I08 while the reduced portion extends through this latter flange.A nut III} is threaded on this reduced end to lock the pivot pin inposition.

The operating handle 88 may, when desired, be retained to move in unisonwith both the auxiliary frame C and reaction handle I02. This retentionis accomplished by a spring pressed latch H2 which, as shown in Fig. 3,is pivotally carried upon a pin H4 secured in the auxiliary frame C. Anotch H5 in latch H2 is engageable over a cross pin H8 which extendsbetween and is fixedly secured in the flanges IEHl on the operatinghandle. The latch H2 is biased by a spring I29 in a direction to causenotch lit to engage pin III} with considerable pressure but, because ofits configuration, the pin can be forced out of the notch and the latchdisengaged when a pressure greater than that required to oscillate theauxiliary frame C and operate the tensioning mechanism B is exerted onhandle $8. When the latch IE2 is engaged with the pin H8, it holds thehandle 93 in fixed relation with the auxiliary frame C and the reactionhandle I82, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3, and movements of the operatinghandle effects like movements in the auxiliary frame and reactionhandle. But, when the handie 98 has reached the limit of its first rangeof movement in a counterclockwise direction to bring the sealingmechanism D down to the over-- lapping strap ends, as shown in dot-dashlines in Fig. 1, further effort exerted on the handle in acounterclockwise direction to actuate the sealing mechanism causes thelatch I I2 to become disengaged from the pin H3. The result is that thehandle 98 may be pivoted through a second range of counterclockwisemovement upon the pivot pin IGEI, and independently of both theauxiliary frame and the reaction handle, to cause the sealing mechanismD to be operated and form a joint in the overlapping ends of the binderstrap. Upon its return or clockwise movement from the limit of thissecond range of movement, the operating handle 88 causes the sealfeeding mechanism F to load a, seal in the sealing mechanism D, therebyconditioning the tool for another sealing operation, as will be laterexplained.

The reaction handle I32 is somewhat shorter in length than the operatinghandle and is fixedly secured at one end to the auxiliary frame C asbefore mentioned. On its under side the lever IE2 is provided with adownwardly extending stop lug I22 adapted to engage the top of the mainframe A to limit movement of the handles and auxiliary frame in aclockwise direction.

It will be apparent that in the conventionally constructed tensioningand binding tools the force exerted on the operating handle when thelatter is moved through its second range of movement to form a joint inthe overlapping binder strap ends is transmitted to the package beingbound through the base of the tool. This force. which is normally morethan required for binder tensioning, may be of such magnitude thatanything but relatively heavy and substantial packages will be deformedor crushed by the tool. This disadvantage of binding tools as presentlyconstructed is obviated in the tool of the present invention through theuse of the reaction handle IE2. When the operating handle 98 is pivotedin a counterclockwise direction beyond its first range of movement, i.e., from the position shown in dot-dash lines in Fig. 1 to the positionshown in Fig. 2 at which point formation of a joint has been completed,the reaction handle and auxiliary frame remain stationary so that theoperat ing handle moves away from the reaction handle and a force maybeexerted on the latter by the operator in a clockwise direction tobalance or counteract the force exerted on the operating handle 98.These two opposing forces, one toward the package being bound and theother away from it, can be made such by the operator that theysubstantially counterbalance each other and no appreciable operatingforce, or at least none of destructive intensity, need be exerted on thepackage.

The sealing mechanism D for placing a seal over the overlapping ends ofa package-encircling binder loop and forming a joint therein is carriedon the auxiliary frame C between the wall I 24 thereof and a sealerplate I26 spaced from the wall I24 by a pair of spacers I28, one ofwhich is located on each side of the auxiliary frame adjacent the rearend thereof. The forward end of the sealer plate I26 is fixedly securedin position by a bolt I30 which is threaded into the wall I24 of theauxiliary frame C. The rear end of the sealer plate I26 engages betweenthe upper end of the spacing collars I28 and the underside of the bottomwall of the seal magazine E. This rear end of the assembly is securedtogether by a pair of screws I32, Fig. 5, one on each side of theauxiliary frame C. These screws have heads seated in counterboredopenings in laterally extending bosses I34 onthe upper edge of theauxiliary frame C, and the screws extend through the spacers I28 and theplate I26 and are threaded into laterally extending bosses I38 on thebottom wall of the magazine E aligned with the bosses I 34.

Within the space between the top of the auxiliary frame C and the sealerplate I26 are secured a pair of opposed holding jaws I 33 for preventingbuckling of a seal when a joint is being formed, and a pair of opposedsealing jaws are, one pair on each side of the holding jaws, fordeforming the seal and overlapping strap ends to form a joint and theactuating mechanism for operating these laws.

Referring to Fig. 5, it will be seen that the sealing and holding jawshave forward inwardly projecting tips I42 and that the sealing jaws I 30have, rearwardly or inwardly of these tips, crimping lugs I43. The jawspivot upon fixed fulcrum pins hi4, but the rear ends of the sealing jawsI49 are extended backwardly beyond the rear ends of the holding jawsI38, these rear ends of the holding jaws being fixed with respect to thesealing jaws MI] through the agency of a pair of pins I45 extendingbetween the sealing jaws and through the ends of the holding jaws I 38so that the latter are fixed with respect to and move with the sealingjaws 3-39. The upper ends of these pins I46 project beyond the topsurface of the upper sealing jaws for a purpose which will be describedhereinafter. The sealing jaws I iIi are spaced from the holding jaws I38by a pair of plates I 48, Fig. 3, secured in fixed relation upon thefixed fulcrum pins I4 4. The forward edges of these spacer plates M8 actas an anvil for pressing a seal into position over the overlapping endsof a binder strap loop when the sealing mechanism is moved to jointforming position and assist in preventing buckling of the sealwhen it isdeformed in the formation of a joint.

The rear ends of the sealing jaws are pivotally secured to one end of apair of jaw actuating 9 links I50 by means of fulcrum pins I52. Theseends of the jaws embrace the ends of the links to which they are securedand the portion of the pins I52 passing through the links I50 is of enlarged diameter relative to the ends which engage in the ends of thejaws I40 so that these pins As previously indicated, the sealing jawsI48 are actuated to form a joint during the course of the second rangeof counterclockwise movement of the operating handle 98 when the latterpivots with respect to' the auxiliary frame C. This actuation isefiected through an operating link I80 secured at one of its ends upon adrive pin I62 extending through the upper ends of the flanges I08 on theoperating handle 98. The other end of the link I60 is engaged in avertical slot I64 in crosshead I58 and pivotally secured thereto by aneccentric pin I68. This pin is engaged and locked in position by a setscrew I68 threaded into an opening in the link. Slidable upon the topside of the sealer plate I28 adjacent its forward end is a cutter bladeI10. This blade has a tapered and hardened CLllh ting edge I12 which ismoved into engagement with the upper overlapping end of a binder strapand scores the same while a joint is being former so that the binder maybe easily broken along this score line by bending it back and forth afew times. At its rear end the cutter blade has cutwardly extendingwings I14, Fig. 4, with transverse sockets I16 formed therein, and theblade is secured in position in a channel I18 between the bottom of themagazine E and the top of the sealer plate I28 with the sockets I19engaged over the upper extremities of the pins I48 so that the outwardand downward movement of these pins during the actuation of the sealingmechanism to form a joint will be translated into down ward movement ofthe blade.

'When the operating handle 98 is pivoted through its second range ofcounterclockwise movement from the position shown in dot-dash lines inFig. l to the position shown in Fig. 2, the link I60 moves the crossheadI56 downwardly from the position shown in Fig. and the links I 58' causethe rear ends of the two pairs of sealing jaws I46 to separate, therebymoving the faces I I42.of these jaws toward each other and causing thescoring blade I18 to move downwardly and score the binder strap. Thelinks I58 exert a toggle action on the jaws, thereby greatly increasingthe force exerted thereon so that a rela tively small movement of thecrossheadi56 causes the jaws I 40 to bend a seal around the strap endsand as the crosshead moves further down the faces of the jaws deform theseal and overlapping strap ends to form a permanent joint therein.

After a joint has been formedand during the course of the return of thehandle 98 from joint forming position to the position shown in dotdashlines in Fig. l, the crosshead I56 is moved upwardly by the link I60 anddraws the upper ends of the links I50 upwardly, thuspulling the rearends'of the jaws I40 toward each other and causing the jawst'o pivotupon pins I44 so that the faces I42 of. the jaws separate. 1 At the sametime the scoring; blade I is retracted. Before 10 the operating handle98 is fully returned from its second range of movement to the positionshown in dot-dash lines in Fig. 1, the faces of the sealing jaws I40have separated sufficiently to release the binder so that the sealingmechanism can be moved away from its'joint forming position.

. In general, the seal magazine is a box-like structure open at bothends and is preferably cast from aluminum alloy. It has a bottom wallI80, side walls I82 and I84, Fig. 4, a top wall I86, and an open outletend I88. The inner surfaces of these walls arev machined to form smoothuideways for a follower I which is slidable therein and engages againstthe top seal in a stack of seals I92 carried in the magazine. Thisfollower I90 is normally urged toward the lower or outlet end of themagazine by a spring I94 housed in a hollow boss I96 projectingoutwardly from the side wall I84 near the magazine outlet I88. Thespring is wound on a spindle I98 extending into the boss I96 and one ofits ends is secured to the spindle I98 while the other end is, drawn outof thehousing I96 and secured to the follower I90 so that a pull towardthe magazine outlet is exerted by the spring on the follower I90. As aresult the seals in the magazine are urged toward the outlet end I 88.

. These seals 200 which are made from easily deformable sheet metal aregenerally channel shaped in cross section, as indicated in Fig. 5, butthe sides or flanges 202 fiare outwardly slightly from the back so thatthe seals may be stacked in nested relation, but the backs of adjacentseals will be held in slightly spaced relation with respect to eachother, as shown in Fig. 4. This permits the forwardmost seal in thestack I92 to be stripped therefrom by movement in an endwise directionwithout disturbing other seals in the stack. Thus, when the feedingmechanism is actuated in a feeding direction it moves only the foremostseal in the stack I92 in an endwise direction so that the seals may befed one at a time by the feeding mechanism.

Occasionally a seal may become jammed in the outlet of the magazine.Heretofore such jammed seals were difiicult to remove. A feature of thetool of the present invention is the means provided for the removal ofjammed seals. Referring to Figs. 1 and 4, it will be seen that the sidewall I82 of the magazine E terminates short of the outlet end I88 of themagazine. This open portion of the wall is closed by a trap door 204pivotally secured upon a pin 206 having its opposite ends seated inopenings in the bosses 208 and 2H) formed on the top and bottom wallsrespectively of the magazine. A spring 2 I2 is wound on this pin 206 andhas one end engaged against the side wall I82 of the magazine and theother end engaged against the side of the trap door 204 so thatthelatter is urged to closed position by this spring. Adjacent its lowerinner edge the door 204 is provided with a longitudinally extendingledge 2I4. A similar ledge 2I6 oppositely disposed to the first isformed in a removable guide 2 I 8 secured to the fixed wall I84 of themagazine by a pair of countersunk screws 22 0 These ledges 2 I4 and 2I6project inwardly toward each other sufilciently so that the edges of theside walls 202 of the foremost seal in the magazine engage the ledges.Thus, the ledges act as a stop to prevent the seals from being expelledfrom the magazine by the spring pressed follower I90 and in addition actas guideways for guiding a 'sealfor movement in an endwise diaceipeo i lrection into the jaws of the sealing mechanism D. The ledges 2 I4 and 2I6 are of course properly positioned so that a seal is correctly guidedinto the sealing mechanism.

Should a seal accidentally become jammed in the outlet, the trap door204 may be pivoted outwardly on the pin 2% against the tension of thespring 2I2 a sufficient distance to disengage the ledge 2% from the edgeof the forward seal in the stack. Ordinarily, the jammed seal may thenbe readily removed from the magazine'by sliding it out in a lateraldirection. While this is being done, the stack I92 is held in themagazine against the ledge 2I6 on the fixed wall of the magazine so thatthe entire stack is not expelled from the magazine when the door 204 ispivoted outwardly. To facilitate pivoting of the door 284 a handle 222is provided thereon extending upwardly from the door. This may bepressed inwardly when it 'is desired to open thedoo'r.

In addition to the advantages above'de'scribed the pivoted door alsopermits the magazine to be loaded by inserting a stack ofseals from theforward oroutlet end of the magazine without the necessity for removingthe follower therefrom. The door 204 is merely held in open positionandastack of seals Hi2 inserted in the magazine "and forced backwardly untilthe edge of the last seal in the stack is in position to engage upontheledge 2 IS. The stack is then held in positionand the door 2134released to bring the ledge '2 I4 'into engagement with the oppositeedge of the foremost seal.

The seal ejector actuator for operating the ejector which strips sealsfrom the stack I92 and moves them into the sealing mechanism comprises agenerally L-shaped-aluminum alloy cast ing 224 which is pivotallysecured intermediate its ends to a pair of lugs 225 upstanding from thetop wall I86 of the magazine adjacent the rear end thereof. Thisactuator pivots upon a pin 228 and is normally urged in a seal ejectingdirection to the position shown in Figs. 1 and 3 by a relativelyheavy-spring 232 coiled upon the pin 223. One end or this spring bearsagainst the top wall I86 of the magazine while the other end bearsagainst the horizontal portion of the ejector actuator 22 and exerts aforce thereon tendingto move thesame to the position shown in Figs. land3.

The ejector proper comprises an elongated blade 23:3 pivotally securedat one end upon a pm 236 carried in-a head 238 on the tip of an arm 2G0forming part of the ejector actuator zz. The blade 23% is slightly bowedand'is provided with a stripper tip 2W bent inwardly at a slight angleto insure its engagement with the edge of the body of the foremost seal290 in the 'inagazine E. A tension spring 2 14 coiled'about the pin 23%and having its opposite ends engaged with the arm 24c and the blade '23surgesthe latter in a direction to bring the stripper tip into engagementwith the end of a stop screw 2% thread ed into the end'of the top wallofthe magazine centrally thereof. This screw 2% projects sufficiently sothat the stripper tip 2 32 engaging thereon will be located directlyopposite the edge of the body of the foremost seal in the magazine whenthe ejector actuator draws the ejector blade outwardly to a preparatoryposition for ejecting a seal from the magazine, as shown in Fig. 2.

The ejector actuator is rotated to this position by means of a sectorshaped cam 248 which engages with an adjustable stop screw 250 threadedin the end of a bellc'rank arm 252 formed integrally withthe actuator.This screw may be locked in a desired position of adjustment by a locknut 25-4. The cam 248 is secured upon the outer reduced end of theoperating handle pivot pin Hill with the axis of its curved edgecoinciding With the axis of the pin I06, and it is locked againstrotation by the pin I62 which passes through the earn 243 and theflanges Its of the operating handle and connects the operating link 60to the handle 9%. Thus, it will be seen that the cam 243 and operatinghandle 98- pivot together when the handle is moved about pin I08.

When the operating handle 98 is moved through its first range ofmovement the auxiliary frame C oscillates with it, as previouslyexplained, and the cam 248 remains in fixed position with respect to theejector actuator 22-45. However, when the operating handle is actuatedfurther and enters upon its second range of movement, the cam 243, beingfixedly secured to the operating handle, pivots with this handle. It isso fixed with relation to the tip of screw 25!? that upon initiation ofmovement of the operating handle 88 into its second range of movement astraight radial face 256 on the cam is moved into engagement with thetip of the screw 259. As movement of the handlefiil is continued thisface is moved in a clockwise direction, as seen in Fig. 2, and exerts aforce on the tip of screw 25-5 tending to rotate the ejector actuator incounterclockwise direction upon the pin 22% against the tension ofspring 232. This movement of the ejector actuator continues until thehandle 98 and cam M3 are advanced sufficiently to bring the curvedperipheral edge 253 of the cam 248 into engagement with the tip of screw250. At this time the ejector actuator hasbeen rotated sufilcientl-y tocarry the stripper tip 252 of the ejector blade 23:"; to a positionopposite'the edge of the back of the forward seal in the magazine E.During further advancing movement of the operating handle the curvedperipheral edge 258 of the earn 2% rides upon the tip of the screw, butsince this surface is concentric With the pivotalaxis of the earn 2% nofurther movement of the ejector actuating mechanism occurs and it isheld stationary with the ejector in cocked position until returnmovement of the handle has progressed sufiiciently to again bring thestraight radial face 256 of the cam opposite the tip of screw 256. Asreturn movement of the handle 93 is continued, the spring 232 acting onthe actuator it l'pivots the same so that the stripper tip 24-2 of theejector blade 23% is brought into engagement with the edge of the lastseal in the magazine and moves this seal out of the magazine until itslower edge engages the top surface of the partly opened upper sealingjaws I40. When returnm'ovement of the handleQB has progressed to thepoint where the working faces of the jaws Mil open sufiiciently toreceive the flared edges of a seal 2M therebetween, the partly ejectedseal is suddenly propelled or snapped into position in the jaws by theaction of spring "232 gages in and eXtends a cr'ossthe channel in thelast seal'inthe magazine when such-a'movement has been completed,thus-'tending to aid in holdmg :seals inthe-mag-azine against accidentalre- Briefly reviewing the operation of the tool, it

inovement of the tool or of the overlapping strap a result of the torqueexerted on the bolt by the spring housed in cap 54. This rotation of thebolt I6 lowers the feed wheels 82 into contact with the upper of theoverlapping strap portions. At the same time rotation of the cam 58 ofhandle 56 releases the aligning lever 32 so that its straight edge 40engages the top surface of the upper of the overlapping stra portionsand the shoulder 42 engages the outer edges of both strap ends. Thealigning lever 32 is locked in this position by the shoulder 80 on thecam 58 of the actuating handle 56 engaging the top of lug 43 on thealigning lever.

The tool is now in condition to tension the binder loop and this isaccomplished by oscillating the operating handle 99 through an are whichextends upwardly, as a maximum, to an approximate vertical, as shown indot-dash lines in Fig. l. The auxiliary frame C is oscillated with theoperating handle 98 through this first range of movement because thelatch I I 2 remains engaged with the fixed cross pin H8. Theseoscillatory movements of handle 98 causes the actuating pawl 85 torotate the feed wheels 82 step-by-step to move the upper binder end pastthe lower binder end and thereby tension the binder. During theseoperations the magazine E, sealing mechanism D and the reaction handleI02 oscillate with the auxiliary frame and the operating handle butperform no function.

When the desired tension in the binder loop is attained the handle 98 isswung in a counterclockwise direction to the upper limit of its firstrange of movement indicated in Fig. l to carry the sealing jaws I40 intooverlapping relation with the portion of the overlapping ends of thebinder loopinwhich the joint is to be made, as indicated by the dot-dashlines of Fig. 1. This brings the seal 200 which was fed into positionbetween the jaws in the, previous operation into a position where itpartly encircles the overlapping strap ends.

Upon further movement of the operating handle 98 in counterclockwisedirection the latch I I 2 becomesdisconnected from the cross. pin H8 andthe handle 98 pivots upon the pin I as an axis instead of the shaft 50because the auxiliary frame C can move no further.

Since the reaction handle I02 is fixed to the auxiliary frame it alsoremains stationaryand as operating handle 98 pivots upon pin I00, itmoves away from the reaction handle I02 so that the latter may begrasped by the operator and during the continued movement of theoperating handle 98 in a counterclockwise direction a force may beexerted on this reaction handle I02 opposing the force exerted on theoperating handle 98 so as to counterbalance the force applied toform thejoint, andrelieve the package being bound of operating forcecommunicated thereto by the tool, such as is normally present when aconventional tool is used. This further move-i ment of the operatinghandle 98, through the link I 50, crosshead I56 and links I50 actuatesthe sealing jaws I40 to deform the seal 200 and the overlapping strapends to form a joint.

. During the sealingoperation the ejector blade 2341 irgredfio the ret aed Pos ti n shown in '14 Fig. 2 as previously explained and it is heldin this position until the operating handle 98 has been pivoted througha suflicient angle in a return direction from the limit of its secondrange of movement to rotate the cam 248 backwardly far enough to bringits flat radially extending face 256 into line with the tip of screw250, whereupon the ejector actuator 224 is released for return movementby its spring 232. On the return of the ejector actuator the strippertip 242 of'the ejector blade 234 engages the edge of the forward seal inthe magazine and this seal i moved in an endwise direction along theledges 2| 4 and H5 toward the sealing jaws I40 until its lower endengages the upper surface of the partly opened sealing jaws. The returnmovement of the handle 98 does not open the sealing jaws suificiently toreceive the seal until the handle has almost completed its return fromthe second range of movement. During this time the ejector continues topress upon the seal due to the action of spring 232 on the ejectoractuator 224. As a result at the instant the jaws I40 open sufficientlyto receive a seal, the seal is suddenly snapped into position in thejaws. This will occur just prior to the end of the return movement ofthe operating handle 98 at which time the latch Il2 engages the fixedpin IE8. Thus the operator, if he desires so to do, may hold thereaction handle I02 and apply force to the same opposing andcounterbalancing the force required to return the operating handle 98 tothe position of the fixed relation with the auxiliary frame until justprior to the time that return movement is completed. The handles andauxiliary frame C may then be oscillated until the stop lug I22 engagesupon the top of handle I2 formed on the main frame I0.

To release the tool from the bound binder loop the handle 56 is rotatedin a clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 1, until the pin 12 on theshank 58 engages in the notch 10 in the latch 62. The handle 55 is thenreleased and is held in retracted position by the latch 62. Rotation ofthe handle 56 as above described rotates the bolt I0 in a direction tocause the eccentrically mounted feed wheels 82 thereon to be raised fromthe binder ends. At the same time the lug It on the cam 58 of handle 55engages the lug 40 on aligning lever 32 and lifts this leversufiflciently to release the overlapping binder ends and open channelI8. The tool may then be removed from the package by sliding the samelaterally until the foot 22 becomes disengaged from under the boundloop. Since the seal was fed to the sealing mechanism during the returnmovement of the handle, the

tool when removed from a package is in condition for a new sealingoperation.

Having thus illustrated and explained the nature and an embodiment ofour invention, what we claim and desire to secure by United StatesLetters Patent is as follows:

1. In a package binding tool of the type having a main frame adapted torest upon a package to be bound and pivotally supporting a bindertensioning mechanism and an auxiliary frame carrying sealing jaws, andan operating handle pivotable with said auxiliary frame through a firstrange of movement for operating said tensioning mechanism to tension thebinder encircling the package being bound and pivotable in the sameplane and away from main frame and. with respect to the auxiliary framethrough a second range of movement for operating said sealing jaws toform a joint in the overlapping ends of the binder, the improvementwhich comprises a reaction handle fixedly secured to said auxiliaryframe and pivoting with said auxiliary frame and operating handlethrough the first range of movement thereof and separable from saidoperating handle when said operating handle pivots with respect to saidauxiliary frame, said reaction handle being adapted to, have a pliedthereto a force in opposition to and counterbalancing the force exertedon the operating handle throughout the second range of movement of thelatter to relieve the package being bound of the pressure exerted uponthe operatinghandle, and means for releasably locking said operatinghandle and auxiliary frame together for movement through the first rangeof movement aforesaid, said means comprising a pin carried by saidoperating handie, a latch member pivoted on said auxiliary frame andhaving a notch therein, said pin being adapted to engage in said notch,and a spring biasing said latch member to pin engaging position, saidpin being released from said latch notch when a force in excess of apredetermined maximum is exerted on said operating handle to allow thelatter to pivot with respect to said auxiliary frame and reaction handlethrough the second range, of movement.

2. In a package binding tool having a main framev adapted to rest upon apackage to be bound and pivotally supporting a binder tensioningmechanism for tensioning a e encircling binder and an auxiliary framecan ying a sealing mechanism for placing a seal over and joining theoverlapping ends of the package binder and a seal feeding mechanism, thecombination comprising, a magazine for storing. a stack of seals, anoutlet at one end of said magazine, a movable trap door in one wall ofsaid magazine at said outlet, a follower for urging seals toward saidoutlet, guide means formed in said outlet for holding said seals in saidmagazine against the pressure exerted thereon by l follower, said guidemeans being adapted to guide seals one at a time from the bottom of thestack for endwise movement into said sealing mechanism to permitautomatic loading of the same by said feeding mechanism when said toolis use, at least a portion of said guide means being secured to saidtrap door and said trap door being adapted to be moved to open positionto remove at least a portion of the support for the seal to be fed ifthe seal to be fed becomes jammed in said magazine to permit manualwithdrawal of the same therefrom.

3. In a package binding tool having a main frame adaptedto rest upon apackage to be bound pivotally supporting a binder tensioning mechanismfor tensioning a package encircling binder and an auxiliary frame carying a sealing mechanism for placing a seal over and joining theoverlapping ends of the package binder and aseal feeding mechanism, thecombination comprising a magazine for storing a stack of seals, anoutlet at one end of said magazine, a follower for urging seals towardsaid outlet, a pivoted trapdoor form-- ing one wall of said magazine atoutlet, guide means forme. in said trap door and the opposing wall ofsaid outlet for holding said seals in said magazine against the pressureexerted thereon by said follower, said guide means being adapted toguide seals one at a time from the bottom of the stack for endwisemovement into said sealing mechanism to permit automatic feeding of thesame by said feeding mechanism when said tool is in use, said trap doorbeing adapted to be moved to: disengagethe guide means thereon from the16 last seal in the stack if said feeding mechanism becomes jammed topermit manual withdrawal of the jammed seal from said magazine.

4. In a package binding tool having a main frame adapted to rest upon apackage to be bound pivotally supporting a binder tensioning mechanismfor tensioning a package encircling binder and an auxiliary framecarrying a sealing mechanism for placing a seal over and joining theoverlapping ends of the package binder and a seal feeding mechanism, thecombination comprising a magazine for storing a stack of seals, anoutlet at one end of said magazine, a follower for urging seals toward.said outlet, a pivoted trap door forming one wall of said magazine atsaid outlet, guide means formed in said trap door and the opposing wallof said magazine for holding said seals in said magazine against thepressure exerted thereon by said follower, said guide means beingadapted to guide seals one at a time from the bottom of the stack forendwise movement into said sealing mechanism to permit automatic feedingof the by said feeding mechanism when said tool is in use, said trapdoor being adapted to be moved to disengage the guide means thereon fromthe last seal in-the stack if said feeding mechanism becomes jammed topermit manual withdrawal of the jammed seal from said magazine, andresilient means for urging the trap door to ion the guide means thereonin sealing engaging position.

5. In a package binding tool having a main frame adapted to rest upon apackage to be bound pivotally supporting a binder tensioning mechanismfor tensioning a package encircling binder and an auxiliary framecarrying a sealing mechanism for placing a channel shaped seal over andjoining the overlapping ends of the package binder and a seal feedingmechanism, the combination comprising a magazine secured to saidauxiliary frame for storing a stack of. said channel shaped seals innested relation, an'outlet at one, end of said magazine, a follower forurging seals toward said outlet, a pivoted trap door forming one wall ofsaid magazine at said outlet, longitudinally extending ledges formed insaid trap door and the opposing wall of said outlet adapted to engagethe flanged edges of the last seal in said stack to retain the same insaid magazine against the pressure exerted thereon by said follower,said ledges being adapted to guide seals one at a time from the bottomof the stack for endwise movement into said sealing mechanism to permitautomatic feeding of the same by said feeding mechanism when said toolis in use, said trap door being adapted to be pivoted to disengage theledge therein from the last seal in said stack if said feeding mechanismbecomes jammed topermit manual withdrawal of the jammed seal from saidmagazine.

6. In a package binding tool of the type having a main frame adapted torest upon a package to be bound and pivotally supporting 'a bindertensioning mechanism and an auxiliary frame carrying sealing jaws, andan operating handle movable with said auxiliary frame through a firstrange of movement for pivoting said auxiliary frame and simultaneouslyoperating said tensioning mechanism to tension a package, encirclingbinder and through a second range of movement in the same plane and awayfrom said main frame for swinging said auxiliary frame and sealing jawsinto sealing position and thereafter relative to said auxiliary framefor operating said sealing jawsto form a joint in the overlapping endsor the hinder, the improvement which comprises a reaction handle forapplying a force to said auxiliary frame throughout the second range ofmovement of said operating handle counterbalancing the force exerted onthe latter and thereby relieving the package being bound of the pressure exerted upon the operating handle while a joint is being formed,said reaction handle being fixed rigidly to said auxiliary frame andpositioned to lie against said operating handle during the first rangeof movement of said operating handle but separating said operatinghandle when said operating handle moves relative to said auxiliaryframe, and releasable latching means including'a spring biased latchmember pivoted to said auxiliary frame and a pin carried by saidoperating handle and engageable therewith for securing said two handlesin fixed relation during the first range of movement.

7. In a package binding tool for tensioning a package encircling binderhaving a main frame adapted to rest upon a package to be bound, a bindertensioning mechanism eccentrically secured upon a shaft rotatablyjournaled with. respect to said main frame and normally biased to urgethe binder tensioning mechanism to binder engaging position, atransversely extending lever pivoted adjacent one of its ends to themain frame and cooperating therewith to form a guide for overlapping endportions of the binder in one 2.

position to hold them in aligned relation during a tensioning operation,and means secured to the shaft for rotating the shaft to move thetensioning mechanism out of binder engaging position, the improvementwhich comprises a lip on the free end of the aligning lever andprojecting angularly therefrom and rearwardly of the tool, and a lug onthe means for rotating the shaft and movable therewith to engage the lipto move the lever out of binder aligning position when the tensioningmechanism is moved out of binder engaging position. Y

8. In a package binding tool for tensioning a package encircling binderhaving a main frame adapted to rest upon a package to be bound, a bindertensioning mechanism eccentrically secured upon a shaft rotatablyjournaled with respect to said main frame and normally biased to urgethe binder tensioning mechanism to binder engaging position, atransversely extending lever pivoted adjacent one of its ends to themain frame and cooperating therewith to form a guide for overlapping endportions of the binder in one position to hold them in aligned relationduring a tensioning operation, and means secured to the shaft forrotating the shaft to move the tensioning mechanism out of binderengaging position, the improvement which comprises a lip on the free endof the aligning lever and projecting angularly therefrom and rearwardlyof the tool, a lug on the means for rotating the shaft and movabletherewith to engage the lip to move the lever out of binder aligningposition when the tensioning mechanism is moved out of binder engagingposition, and a shoulder on the means for rotating the shaft and movabletherewith to engage the lip to lock the lever in binding aligningposition when the tensioning mechanism is moved to binder engagingposition.

9. In a package binding tool having a main frame for resting on thepackage to be bound pivotally supporting a binder tensioning mechanismand an auxiliary frame carrying a sealing mechanism of the typeincluding pivoted sealing jaws for joining together the overlapping endof 18 a package binder and movable with the auxiliary frame from aposition removed from the binder to a joint forming position, a singleoperating handle for moving the auxiliary frame and the sealingmechanism to joint-forming position and for actuating the sealingmechanism to engage the seal over the overlapping ends of the binder andthe jaws to deform the same for forming a joint therein, and a magazineon the auxiliary frame for the storage of seals used in joining the endsof the binder and having an outlet adjacent the sealing mechanism jawsthrough which seals may be transferred from the magazine to the jaws,-

the improvement which comprises an ejector blade at the magazine outletadapted to engage the outermost seal in the magazine and movable in afirst direction to transfer the seal from the magazine to the sealingmechanism, a bell crank lever pivotally mounted on the magazine andhaving a first arm pivotally connected to said ejector blade, a springacting between said lever and a fixed part of the magazine for biasingsaid lever in such direction as to move said ejector blade in the sealtransferring direction, a cam engagealole with a second arm of saidlever rotatably mounted on the magazine and connected to the operatinghandle for rotation in one direction, while the operating handle isclosing the sealing mechanism jaws to form a joint in the overlappingends of the binder, for moving said lever against the force of saidbiasing spring to move said ejector blade in a second direction to aposition preparatory to transferring a seal from the magazine, said cambeing formed to remain in engagement with said lever until the joint hasbeen formed and return movement-of the operating handle has beeninitiated and while in said engagement locking said ejector blade insaid second position, and said cam also being formed so that when it isrotated in a second directionit releases said lever during retractionofthe operating handle and before the sealing mechanism jaws have beenseparated sufiiciently to receive the'seal, whereby a seal is snappedinto position in the sealing mechanism under the force of said biasingspring.

10. In a package binding tool having a main frame for resting on thepackage to be bound pivotally supporting a binder tensioning mechanismand an auxiliary frame carrying a sealing mechanism of the typeincluding pivoted sealing jaws for joining together the overlapping endsof a package binder and movable with the auxiliary frame from a positionremoved from the binder to a joint forming position, a single operatinghandle for moving the auxiliary frame and the sealing mechanism tojoint-forming position and for actuating the sealing mechanism to engagethe seal over the overlapping ends of the binder and the jaws to deformthe same for forming a joint therein, and a magazine on the auxiliaryframe for the storage of seals used in joining the ends of the binderand having an outlet adjacent the sealing mechanism jaws through whichseals may be transferred from the magazine to the jaws, the improvementwhich comprises an ejector blade at the magazine outlet adapted toengage the outermost seal in the magazine and movable in a firstdirection to transfer the seal from the magazine to the sealingmechanism, a bell crank lever pivotally mounted on the magaand having afirst arm pivotally connected to said ejector blade, a first springacting between said lever arm and said ejector blade pivotally to biasthe latter toward the magazine, a second spring acting between saidleverandanxedpart' of the magazine for'biasing said lever in'suc-h d1 rectionas. to move said ejector'bla'de in" the seal transferring direction, acam' engageable'with a secondarm oi said; lever rotatably' mounted onthe magazine: and connected to the operating handle for rotation inone:- direction, while the operating handle is-closing'the sealingmechanism jaws to form arjoint 'in'the'overlappingends' of'the binderfor moving said lever againstthe force OfSaidYSBCOIId biasingspring tomove said ejector bladein a second direction to a positionpreparatory'to transferring'asealfromthermagazine, said cam beingiformedtoremain in engage 11181113" with said 1 second lever-arm until thejoint" has" been formed; and return movement" of the operating handlehas been initiated-Sand" While in said engagement locking said ejectorblade insaid position, and said'cam' also being'formed' so that when itis rotated in a second directionit' releases said lever duringretraction of the operaing'handle and before the' sealing mechanism jawshave been separatedsuffi'ciently toreceive the seal, whereby aseal issnapped'intdposition in the sealing mechanism under-the forceof saidsecond biasing spring.

11. In a package binding tool having a main frame for resting on thepackage to be bound pivotally supporting a binder tensionin'g mechanismand an auxiliary frame'carryinga sealing mechanism'of the type includingpivoted sealing jaws for joining together the overlapping ends' of apackage binder and movable with th'eauxiliary frame from a positionremovedfrom the binder to a joint forming position, a single operatinghandle for moving the auxiliary frame and the sealing mechanism tojoint-forming position and for actuating the sealingrmechanism to engagethe-seal'over the overlappingendsof the binder and the jawsto deform thesame-iorforming "j a joint-therein, and a" magazine on the -auxiliaryframe-for thexstorageeof'"seals usedinjoining-the ends of "the-binderand having? an: outlet adj acent" the sealingimechanismfljaws through"which sealszmav be" transferredr'from the-magazine to the jaws, theimprovement which. comprises an ejector blade at:the magazine eoutletadapted to engage the outermost seal in the-' magazine and movable inafirst direction toxtransfer the seal fromthemagazin'e tothesea-lingmechanism; a-

bell crank lever pivotally mounted on themagazineiand'having a first armpivotally connected to said ejector blade, a spring acting between saidlever-and'a fiiied part of the magazine for biasing said lever in'such'direction as to move said ejector bladein the-seal transferringdirection, said lever having a; second'arm' carrying an adjustable camcontacting member which may be adjusted to vary the throw of said lever,a cam engageable with said contacting member rotatably mounted onthemagazineandiconnected to the operating handlefar rotation in onedirection, while the operatinghandle-is closing the; sealing: mechanismjawsito'formta joint inthe overlapping ends of thesbin'der; for.moving 'saidzlever against the forcezofsaidbiasing spring to moveisaidejector blade imaaseconzj-directionto a positionipreparatory totransferringaseal from the magazine, said-camzbeing formed to remain inengagement withizsaidw cam. contacting member until the joint has beenformed and return movement of the operatinghandle hasbeen initiated andwhile in said... engagement locking said ejector blade in said secondposition, and said cam also being formed so that when it is rotated in asecond direction it releases said lever during'retraction of theoperating handle and before the sealing mechanism jaws have beenseparated sufficiently toreceive" the seal, whereby a seal is snappedinto position in thesealing mechanism .under the force OfSaid biasingspring,

GEORGE A. CROSBY. ARVID I. ERICSSON.

ReferencesCited inthe file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 1,374,518 Harvey -Aug. 30, 1932 1,996,202. Harvey Apr. 2, 19352,113,757 Bletso et a1 .Apr. 12,1938 2,182,004-i Spencer -Dec. 5, 19392,267,612- Leslie ,Dec. 23, 194.1 2,283,947 Eraemassing May 26, 1945-32,298;658 Spencer iOct.v 13, 1942 2,336,264 Leslie Dec. 7, 19432,375,769 Childress et a1 May 15, 1945 2,497,313 Leslie Feb. 14, 1950

